Punches were thrown.
It was all very unparliamentary-like in South Africa today when opposition MPs tried to disrupt the State of the Nation address by President Jacob Zuma.
Members of the Economic Freedom Fighters’ party, dressed in red, became involved in a physical altercation with security who tried to remove them.
Lawmakers from the country’s biggest opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, then walked out in protest.
They were heckled by members of Zuma’s party, the African National Congress party, before Zuma then stood and gave his speech.
Zuma has been the focus of corruption and cronyism allegations in recent times and he was shouted down by members of the EFF when he tried to give his speech to the South African parliament.
There were further scenes outside government buildings as police used stun grenades and tear gas to disperse crowds of government supporters and opposition.
This is the brawl between EFF and the white shirts from inside parliament. #SONA2017 pic.twitter.com/ZlE1auF53a
— HuffPost SouthAfrica (@HuffPostSA) February 9, 2017
BREAKING: Fights break out among lawmakers in South Africa's parliament pic.twitter.com/fCtQtgMbEb (Vid: Katy Katopodis)
— BNO News (@BNONews) February 9, 2017
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